Membership / Cash & Stash Evenings 12th & 14th August

Senior rugby playing membership is £90.00 this season and we will be holding two senior membership cash & stash evenings on Tuesday 12th and Thursday 14th August at 9pm after training:
Pay your membership of £90.00 and in return you get your stash of a kit bag, polo shirt, warm up top,
shorts & socks.

• Cash or Cheque payments accepted only.
• Cheques made payable to Grasshoppers RFC (post dated cheques accepted)
• Credit/Debit cards not accepted

New Initiatives

Pre-season training starts on July 1st 2008

(on field ready to start at 7pm) 

Some initiatives proposed for next season:

1. No match fees for all senior players across all the senior sides.

2. We will charge a membership fee (£90 seniors / £60 colts - students)

3. Once a senior / Student / Colt player has paid his membership he will receive 1 x kit bag, 1 x polo shirt (to be worn on match day), 1 x warm up Tee shirt, 1 x club shorts, 1 x club socks.

4. If a senior / Student / Colt player has not paid his membership he cannot play for the club and is not entitled to any of the above kit and equipment. 

5. A new senior rugby structure will be announced next Friday 20th June.

6. Saturday 16th August - Middlesex 7's day at Twickenham. All senior players, Colts, Sharks and netballers are invited to a day of 7's rugby in the sunshine. The club will supply a van full of beer and food. A great "bonding" session for all to get together.

7. We will receive all of the kit in August and will be holding a "cash & stash" evening for all senior players. Pay the cash / membership and in return you get your stash of kit.

SPREAD THE WORD Grasshoppers RFC is the place to be.

Communicate this message to your mates.....

Kind Regards

Matt
DOR

Match Report for Saturday 12th April

Grasshoppers 31 Bank of England 3

Glorious Grass “uppers”

This was judgement day at MacFarlane Lane after a long season all G’s needed was a win or draw to ensure promotion for the first time since the leagues started 21 seasons ago which also coincides with their time at MacFarlane Lane.

So they kicked off up the slope into a stiff breeze and set up camp in the Bank of England 22 for the first half hour of the game but failed to add any points due to a combination of dogged visitor defence and last pass errors. However, stand off, Gerwyn Hughes eventually broke the deadlock on the half hour with a penalty.

However, the last 10 minutes for the half saw Bank come back at G’s and to be fair should have gone into the break ahead. However, the whistle went for half time to the relief of the home supporters looking forward to a brighter second half with just 1 penalty separating the sides.

The first 15 minutes of the second half though, didn’t turn out to be too bright as G’s saw the Bank continue where they left off in the first half which allowed them to draw level with a penalty of their own.

This though spurred G’s on and led by number 8 Schaun Heyliger, and number 6, Matt Nemeth, the G’s pack set to work on turning the game. A second Gerwyn Hughes penalty was soon followed by a push over albeit unconverted try finished off by Schaun Heyliger to put clear light between the sides at around the 55 minute mark.

G’s continued to play a forward game as the conditions turned and eventually saw a second try thanks to second row Joe Deuchar which Gerwyn Hughes converted. This was quickly followed by 2 Gerwyn Hughes penalties to make the score 24-3 to the delight of the expectant and now jubilant G’s supporters.

And then as if as a final flourish to a fantastic league season full back, Jeremy Easton, burst through the centre for a try under the posts to seal victory. And yes underling this and matching the Ospreys victory over Leicester at Twickenham the Grasshoppers own Welsh Wizard, Gerwyn Hughes, added the final 2 points of a fantastic 2007/08 season. And so G’s move up to London North West 3 with a set of new challenges to face in 2008/09. But that was for tomorrow today was about celebrating, reflecting and yes and acknowledging that on this day we did it!

Next week sees Grasshoppers end of season awards which start at 7.30 with a champagne reception combining successful Rugby and Netball seasons.

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Match Report for Saturday 29th March

Harrow 0 Grasshoppers 10

Grasshoppers travelled to Stanmore to play Harrow in their penultimate league game of the season in the knowledge that a win would keep their promotion hopes alive. So G’s kicked off into a stiff breeze with the expected rain starting to fall adding to the already difficult conditions under foot.

G’s had the territorial advantage for the first quarter of the game but had no points to show for it as even the usually mercurial Gerwyn Hughes missed a penalty chance on 20 minutes to keep the scores level on 0-0.

The G’s forwards then upped a gear to start exerting pressure on Harrow which eventually saw the deadlock broken of 25 minutes with an unconverted try from flanker and skipper Matt Nemeth.

G’s forwards continued this pressure and got the second unconverted try after winger, Paul Leulusoo, charged down a kick and score in the corner. The half time whistle followed soon afterwards so G’s coaches and supporters felt confident in taking a 10 point lead into the second half with the slight slope and breeze as an advantage.

However, Harrow hadn’t read this script and started to play some expansive running rugby in very difficult circumstances but always allowed the final pass to go astray to the relief of the visiting supporters.

In the end it was the G’s forwards who ground the game out led by number eight and player of the day Schuan Heyliger who on previous performances had resembled a gazelle in flight but due to today’s conditions the likeness was more akin to a wart hog. However, whilst it wasn’t pretty it sets up a last game against Bank of England on 12th April 3pm kick off with a draw or a win ensuring promotion.

G’s 2nds kept up their winning ways under skipper Tom Barber with a merit table play off win away against Imperial Medics 28-0. This puts them into the promotion play offs on 12th April at Wasps, Twyford Avenue, Acton. The try scorers were Matt Dawson, Tom Medcroft, Mark Aston and Jason Curtin with 2 Mark Aston added a penalty to his tally to round off another great team performance.

The 3rds saw an improved performance compared to previous encounters with Chiswick 2nds but went down 28-0 just missing out on joining the 2nds in the play off finals on 12th April. Veteran skipper Terry Birtles was please with the overall performance and looked back on a great season for the 3rds.

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Match Report for Saturday 8th March

Grasshoppers 26 Old Ashmoleans 10

Another league week and another crunch game as Grasshoppers welcomed, level on points, Old Ashmoleans to MacFarlane Lane. G’s kicked off down the slope with a stiff breeze at their backs knowing that a sound points cushion was vital to sustain them into the second half.

Despite some early enterprising play from the visitors it was G’s who went ahead courtesy of 2 Gerwyn Hughes penalties. This though, spurred the visitors on as they came back with a converted try to take the lead 6-7.

Then G’s came back with their forwards driving well which allowed scrum half, Tom Reading room on the blind side to score a try which Gerwyn Hughes converted to put clear light between the sides and to round things off, just before half time, Gerwin Hughes added a penalty to give G’s a half time lead of 16-7 but would it be enough?

Well if the G’s forwards were a bit sluggish in the first half they certainly made up for it in the second up the slope and played exactly the right game of continually taking the ball to the visitors. This combined with some excellent defence all Old Ashmoleans could add to their score in the second half was a penalty.

G’s added a Gerwyn Hughes penalty and to round off a brilliant performance at number 8 skipper, Matt Nemeth went over for a push over try and to underline this Gerwyn Hughes added to 2 points to take G’s to second position in the league.

With a non league week and Easter to follow G’s have to wait until 29th March when they are away to Harrow for their penultimate game. Joint players of the day were Russell Cowley and Paul Leulusoo.

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Match Report for Saturday 1st March

Barnet 14 Grasshoppers 32

Grasshoppers Back to Winning Ways as They Beat Barnet Fair

This game was a must win if Grasshoppers were to keep alive their chances of promotion and so to fortress Barnet they travelled full of hope. They kicked off with the strong wind in their favour knowing that a good buffer was required to sustain them in the second half.

However, they made hard work of it and took 15 minutes to break the deadlock with a try after a bludgeoning run from flanker and skipper, Matt Nemeth and stand off, Gerwyn Hughes added the conversion. Then despite having all the game G’s could only add 2 Gerwyn Hughes penalties to make the half time score 0-13.

As Barnet kicked off the second half the G’s supporters were left thinking would a 13 point cushion be enough. These doubts then seemed to be unfounded as a quick penalty allowed Matt Nemeth in for a second try and Gerwyn Hughes added another 2 points to take the cushion to 20 points.

Then Barnet started to get some possession and started to use it to good effect this saw them get a converted try to reel G’s in somewhat. But back came G’s who’s forwards played some great pick and drive led by Matt Nemeth and number 8 and player of the day, Shwarn Heyliger, and it was the latter who turned the tide to score an unconverted try to stretch the gap again in G’s favour.

Then following a fine break by replacement scrum half, Stuart Daniels, Barnet were judged to have taken him out after a fine kick ahead and G’s were awarded a penalty try which Gerwyn Hughes converted to seal the game. Barnet though, came back and scored a converted try to make the final score 14-32 which leaves G’s in joint second place in 19 points.

Next week G’s are at home to Old Ashmoleans who lay above them in joint second on points difference 2.45 kick off.

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Click here to link to the official league table

Match Report for Saturday 16th February

Grasshoppers 16 Finchley 22

For the second time in a row Grasshoppers welcomed the top of the table side to MacFarlane Lane, knowing that a win would put them on top of London North West 4. On this occasion it was in form Finchley, so on a beautiful afternoon this clash of the titans began with G’s kicking off up the slope.

For the first 10 minutes of the game G’s hardly touched the ball and allowed Finchley to creep into the lead with 2 well taken penalties. G’s though, finally got their show on the road and clawed their way back and took the lead with a try from full back, Jeremy Easton converted by Gerwyn Hughes followed by a penalty from Gerwyn Hughes to put G’s ahead 10-6. Finchley though had the last word of the half with another penalty to make the half time score 10-9.

The second half underlined what a close encounter this game was with G’s making good use of the slope but it was Finchley who were first to score with a penalty to retake the lead 10-12. Back came G’s though, with 2 Gerwyn Hughes penalties to retake it 16-12.

G’s looked to stretch further ahead but the Finchley defence held and G’s started to give the ball away too easily. This took the pressure off the top of the table team and allowed them 2 counter attacks which resulted in 2 unconverted tries which allowed Finchley to reclaim the lead 16-22.

In the last 10 minutes G’s threw everything at Finchley and feel could have been awarded a penalty try with 3 penalties for cynical infringements yards from the Finchley line 2 of which resulted in yellow cards. But this wasn’t to be and with some dogged resolution Finchley defended their lines and with the final whistle opened up a 3 point lead over G’s and ended G’s winning streak in the league that went back to 10th November. Player of the day was Thomas Orishaguna.

G’s next 2 league games are away to Barnet on 1st March and then at home to Old Ashmoleans on 8th March.

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Match Report For Saturday 9th February

Haringey 22 Grasshoppers 24

Great Escape at Haringey as Grasshoppers make it Eight League Wins in a Row

Grasshoppers travelled to Haringey hoping to keep their winning league run going. G’s kicked off up the slope and failed to gain any momentum so with 38 minutes gone it in the first half this run was looking dodgey as they were behind by 17-0 thanks to 2 soft converted tries and a penalty goal.

So with the half time whistle beckoning G’s eventually camped themselves in Haringey’s 22 and ran the ball along the line to see winger, Chris Dickson, go over for a try which Gerwyn Hughes narrowly missed to make the half time score 17-5.

So it was yet another game of catch up in the second half as G’s gradually got on top thanks to some fine driving from numbers 8 and 6 Schaun Heyliger and skipper Matt Nemeth respectively.

This pressure eventually told and Matt Nemeth got a try and Gerwyn Huhges added the conversion to narrow the score. Then Schaun Heyliger got a try of his own and with Gerwyn Hughes adding the conversion it took Grasshoppers into the lead.

Back came Haringey though, like a stunned fighter, coming off the ropes and throwing everything at his opponent and were rewarded with a converted try of their own to take back the lead by 5 points leaving G’s to secure a converted try if the running streak was to continue.

And so it was to be as the G’s backs played the miss move to put full back Jeremy Easton in under the posts to level the game and yes Gerwyn Hughes had the last word by adding the conversion and stealing the 2 league points. Player of the day was number 8 Schuan Heyliger.

Next week G’s play top of the table, Finchley at hope 2.30 kick off.

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Match Report for Saturday 2nd February

Grasshoppers 28 Tenby (Wales) 17

Grasshoppers Maintain Winning Streak and English Pride

Grasshoppers, unlike the England team, upheld English pride as they played some fantastic rugby for a full 80 minutes. So it was like old times as G’s welcomed, in form, Tenby to MacFarlane Lane for a traditional pre-international game. Both sides had a nucleus of their league side but were able to try new players like 17 year old Thomas Orishaguna who played scrum half in the second half for G’s. Also making his first 1st XV start was hooker, Matthew Coakley both players put in fine performances. Another interesting fact was that we saw brothers, Gerwyn and Emir Hughes go toe to toe for Grasshoppers and Tenby respectively.

G’s played down the slope in the first half with a stiff breeze behind them and were soon on the attack and were rewarded with a try from winger Paul Lalooso to which stand off, Gerwyn Hughes, added the conversion. Then back came Tenby with an unconverted try of their own.

Then the try of the game saw full back Jeremy Easton cut through the centre to go in unopposed under the posts which made it easy for the Gerwyn Hughes conversion. Then just prior to half time Tenby scored their second unconverted try to make the half time score 14-10.

Tenby took full advantage of the slope and stiffening breeze and soon took the lead albeit briefly with a well taken converted try 14-17. This though, sparked G’s into a brilliant passage of play which saw flanker, Chris Denby and prop, Luke Turner score tries with Gerwyn Hughes adding both conversions to make the final score 28-17. However, the highlight of the game was when veteran nay antique George Orishaguna took the field to accompany his son for the final 5 minutes to add even more of a family atmosphere to the game. Player of the day was number 8, Sean Schwarn.

Next week G’s are away to Haringey 2.30 kick off

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Match Report for Saturday 26th January

Grasshoppers 48 Hemel Hempstead 27

Grasshoppers – Top of the Class

Grasshoppers welcomed top of the table Hemel Hempstead to Macfarlane Lane in a game that would determine who held the top spot at the end of January. In the end G’s proved too strong for the Hertfordshire side and made it 7 league wins on the trot to take both the game and the top slot from them.

G’s kicked off down the slope and were on the rampage straight away and were soon rewarded with a try from centre, Simon Shirreff and with stand off Gerwyn Hughes adding the conversion it was a dream start. But back came the visitors showing their top of the league pedigree with an unconverted try and a penalty to take the lead.

Then the move of the game saw a kick ahead from winger Chris Dickson, which was gathered by fellow winger Ian Macey and after some slick interplay Simon Shirreff went in, in the corner, for an unconverted try. Then Simon Shirreff got his hat trick of tries and Gerwyn Hughes added the conversion to make it 19-8.

Then just before half time centre partner, Andy Quinn got a try and yes Gerwyn Hughes added the conversion to make the half time score 26-8 to prove that G’s can put in a first half performance if they want to.

The visitors having the slope and breeze in the second half was always going to make things difficult for G’s and so it proved as Hemel Hempstead threw wave after wave of attacks at G’s. However, all they could muster was an unconverted try out wide to narrow the gap slightly.

G’s though, had their best passage of the game up the slope at they caught the visitors on the counter attack time after time. This saw a procession of G’s tries as they went on the rampage and underlined their first half performance. First up was flanker, Chris Denby with Gerwyn Hughes adding the conversion. Then came a penalty from Gerwyn Hughes to further widen the gap. Then came an unconverted try from winger Ian Macey after some mercurial handling and interplay following a break out from full back, Jeremy Easton. G’s final try of the game came from number 8, and player of the day, Matt Nemeth, with Gerwyn Hughes converting.

Hemel Hempstead though, had the last word with 2 converted tries to make the final score 48-27 but G’s were suitably please with the well earned 2 points.

Next week G’s host Welsh side Tenby kick off 1pm as the 6 Nations kicks off.

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Match Report for Saturday 19th December

Grasshoppers 32 Old Hamptonians 26

Hampton “Court” in Second Half

With the decorations down and the Christmas Spirit well and truly gone it was back to league rugby with a bang as Grasshoppers welcomed in form Old Hamptonians to Macfarlane Lane for a crucial mid table tussle.

The visitors kicked off and took the game by the scruff of the next from the off. This resulted in G’s failing to get any momentum as they failed to score in the first half for the second week in a row. Old Hamptonians on the other hand secured and moved good ball and gradually cruised ahead and by half time they had what looked like an unassailable lead of 0-23 thanks to 2 converted tries and 3 penalties.

This week saw the Grasshoppers Coach, Richard Hicks, searching for a great Welsh comeback to inspire the boys (no not Tom Jones) but had to go back to the Zulu Wars, and Rorks Drift to seek enough inspiration “11 VC’s before dawn” and all that. So as the Grasshoppers Director of Rugby, Pete Hobson, checked his pacemaker G’s kicked off down the slope with a strong breeze behind them.

So to the relief of the local cardiac unit, G’s set about reeling the visitors in more or less straight from the kick of with a try from second row, Dean Beaver converted by stand off, Gerwyn Hughes. This seemed to ignite G’s as they were soon on the rampage again which saw centre, Simon Shirreff, slip in for an unconverted try.

At this stage Old Hamptonians struggled, as G’s did in the first half, to gain any momentum. So G’s scored another try after another great take in the lineout from skipper and number 8, Matt Nemeth who fed prop Levi Titi who drove over for the try and Gerwyn Hughes added to conversion to bring G’s to within 1 score.

Then the move of the game saw Gerwyn Hughes bring Simon Shirreff in on the switch to go under the posts to take the lead for the first time in the game and with Gerwyn Hughes adding the conversion it gave G’s a 3 point cushion. Then Gerwyn added a penalty to widen the gap further.

Then Old Hamptonians at last found some second half form and G’s had to defend their lead. However, the fact they held on to it was more down to a number of penalties missed by the visitors who did have the chance to draw level.

As it was they only slotted 1 of a number of chances to bring them back to within 3 points then Gerwyn Hughes rounded off a great performance to slot a penalty of his own to bring the gap back to 6 points.

The visitors almost had the last word with a quick kick off but failed to capitalise on it as G’s cleared to touch as the final whistle blew and G’s snatched the 2 league points and marched on to another home game against Hemel Hempstead next week 2.15 kick off.

Joint players of the day were Gerwyn Hughes and Paul Lallooso.

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Match Report for Saturday 12th January

Civil Service 36 Grasshoppers 21

Grasshoppers travelled the short distance to Chiswick to play London 1 side Civil Service in this Middlesex Cup tie. In the end, the much used cliché of a game of 2 halves was expanded to a game of 4 which in the end went 2-1 to the home side with 1 drawn.

So away we went with league standing meaning nothing and all to play for. So with 5 minutes gone and no score G’s were enjoying a steady stream of possession which they attempted to move to their backs quickly. One such move though saw G’s trying to force the game and give possession away via a grubber kick which the Civil Service centre gathered to score under the posts, the conversion was added to break the deadlock.

Despite many chances to draw level G’s failed to score in the first half and saw Civil Service score 2 more converted tries to make the half time score 21-0.

Well whatever Richard Hicks, the G’s Coach, said at half time, possibly the Henry V soliloquy at Agincourt or the Winston Churchill speech “we will fight them on the beaches” it certainly did the trick. And so G’s set to work on steadily reeling the home side in. Three converted tries then followed courtesy of scrum half, Stuart Daniels and a brace from winger, Richard Heweson, converted by stand off, Gerwyn Hughes to leave the game teetering at 21-21. G’s continued to press but to no avail as the final pass let them down. So the final whistle blew to herald 10 minutes each way of extra time.

This 3rd quarter turned from heroics to tragedy as the home side sipped in for 3 unconverted tries to put 15 points between the sides.

G’s pressed in the 2nd period of extra time but failed to reel the home side in again, as if the first effort just took too much out of them. And so as the final whistle blew it was Civil Service who marched onto the next round and G’s who marched off with their honour in tact. It was difficult to name a player of the day with so many heroes but flanker, Chris Brown and scrum half, Stuart Daniels shared the honours.

Next week G’s are at home to Old Hamptonians 2.15 kick off

More from Pete Baveystock on 07801 664 557.

Match Report for Saturday 5th January

Grasshoppers 26 Fullerians 7

Grasshoppers travelled to Watford to kick off 2008 with this league game against Fullerians and things looked bright as they were awarded a penalty almost straight from their kick off. Unfortunately, the kick went wide and with that miss went the only realistic chance to score in the first half for either side which ended 0-0.

So with the game delicately poised at 0-0 giving either side the chance to grab the 2 league points. Fullerians kicked off and G’s took the game straight to them and at last the deadlock was broken courtesy of a great solo try from full back Tom Reading who went in under the posts to make the additional 2 points a formality from stand off, Gerwyn Hughes.

G’s looked likely to score again but the Fullerians winger gathered a loose ball and ran from his own 22 to score the try which was converted and there we were back to 7-7.

Then, player of the day, Tom Reading, got his second try, which Gerwyn Hughes converted. G’s were now well on top and started to show their form and soon they were on the rampage again culminating in a try from flanker, Henry Montgomery Smith which went unconverted but put clear light between the sides at last as the mid winter light faded.

Then as a finale G’s struck again as hooker, Jason Judkins drove over from the lineout for the try and Gerwyn Hughes underlined it with the conversion to make the final score 7-26.

Next week G’s are away to Civil Service in the Middlesex Cup 2pm kick off.

Match Report for Saturday 15th December

Grasshoppers 33 Harrow 16

Harrowing Experience for Grasshoppers Visitors

Grasshoppers welcomed top of the table Harrow to MacFarlane Lane for this pre Christmas league game which in the end created a post match argument as to whether G’s snatched the points away from Harrow or did Harrow give them as an early Christmas present.

The first half saw an even game as Harrow kicked off down the slope but failed to show their top of the table form. Instead G’s looked the better side but at half time they led by 3 Gerwyn Hughes penalties to 2 from the visitors to make the score 9-6.

So all the fireworks and the tension were saved until the second half when G’s unsung heroes like second rows, Russell Cowley and David North consistently stepped up to the metaphorical plate to ask questions of the visitors front 5. This gave the G’s backs room and confidence to move and so G’s were soon on the attack which forced Harrow into conceding a penalty which Gerwyn Hughes took full advantage of to put clear light between the sides at 12-6.

And so G’s continued to press the Harrow line and were rewarded with the first try of the game when the forwards drove from the lineout. And yes, it was prop, Adam Shears, who came up with the ball to the cheers of the elderly, albeit vocal balcony freshly invigorated from their half time brandies. Then, when stand of Gerwyn Hughes added the difficult conversion to draw further away from the visitors, they cheered even harder.

It was looking even better when a sloppy clearance was pounced on by G’s winger. Richard Hewesson who went in for a further try which Gerwyn Hughes converted.

But Harrow weren’t playing ball and started to show their class as they reeled G’s in to within 10 points and looked to exert more pressure as G’s failed to cope. Then with Harrow forcing the game Centre, Tom Reading had the last word as he intercepted and went in under the posts and yes Gerwyn Hughes rounded of a faultless performance at stand off and took the final score to 33-16 underlining his player of the tay title.

G’s next league game is on 5th January when they are away to Fullerians.

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Match Report for Saturday 8th December

Old Paulines 12 Grasshoppers 22

It was a rare trip into Surrey for Grasshoppers for this Middlesex Cup tie against Old Paulines on a wet and blustery day. Old Paulines kicked off and G’s got on top straight away with some good driving allowing their silky backs room to move.

So with 5 minutes gone debut winger, Richard Hewison, went over for an unconverted try. Then, other winger, Ian Macey, got in on the act after pressurising his opponent into making a mistake kicking through from half way, keeping control, for the try. Then just before half time Richard Hewison got his second try which stand off, Gerwyn Hughes, converted to make the half time score 0-17.

The second half was a different story as the home side looked to change tactics and kicked for position. This paid dividends as G’s struggled to deal with the kicks. This saw them caught out on a number of occasions, which gave the home forwards heart as they got on top albeit briefly.

The killer punch though, came from a super G’s try after hooker Chris Browne, surged through the middle to set centre Simon Shirreff up for the unconverted try.

The last word of the tie went to Old Paulines with a try from their rampaging forwards which they converted to make the final score 12-22 with Grasshoppers looking forward to the new year tie to come.

Next week G’s are at home to Harrow in the league 2.15 kick off.

Match Report for Saturday 1st December

Bank of England 20 Grasshoppers 27

Smash and Grab as Grasshoppers Break the Bank

Grasshoppers headed in the unusual southerly direction to Roehampton to play mid table Bank of England in what would prove to be a table changing game with Grasshoppers 2nd bottom.

Grasshoppers started off well but failed to take advantage of both territory and possession and once again allowed the opposition off the hook and let in a soft converted try and yes were once again playing catch up.

Then again G’s swept forward and were rewarded with a penalty, centre field, 40 metres out. Up stepped stand off, Gerwyn Hughes and slipped it through the post for 3 points. Then still, still exerting pressure on the home side centre, Simon Shirreff went over for a try, which Gerwyn Hughes converted to take the lead.

Then it was end to end stuff, entertaining for the neutrals, but excruciating for both sets of supporters as the home side drew level with a penalty. Then winger, Tom Reading, scored an unconverted try followed by an unconverted try by the Bank to pull the sides level at 15-15. And just before half time a brilliantly worked move saw full back, Jeremy Easton, evade some desperate tackling to go in under the posts and Gerwyn Hughes added the 2 point to make it 15-22 at half time.

The 2nd half went very much the same at the last quarter of the 1st with end to end, heart stopping stuff, for both sets of supporters. G’s though, thought they’d clinched it when second row, Dean Beaver, popped up on the wing, put away by skipper, Steve Reffould, for an unconverted try, to put clear light between the sides.

Back though, came the Bank, with an unconverted try of their own, to bring them to within 1 score. So the last 15 minutes saw the Bank throw everything at G’s and but form some heroic tackling from player of the day, Jeremy Easton, they would have forced the draw. In the end it wasn’t some much a run on the Bank but more of a heavy withdrawal.

Next week G’s are away to Old Paulines in the Middlesex Cup 2pm kick off.

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Match Report for Saturday 24th November

Grasshoppers 29 - Fullerians 21

Grasshoppers welcomed old friends Fullerians to Macfarlane Lane for a bottom of the table clash with G’s, on the last week of November, still looking for their first home win of the season. They say the best things in life are worth waiting for but this game certainly stretched that assertion as G’s kicked off up the slope with confidence and an expectant home crowd.

This confidence though, was soon shattered as the visitors threw everything at G’s for the first 30 minutes of the game giving them 2 converted tries. G’s responded with a try from flanker, Chris Denby which was converted by stand off, Gerwyn Hughes to close the gap. However, G’s defence slipped up once again as they let the visitors in for another converted try to put clear light between the sides. G’s though, responded well just before half time with an unconverted try by winger, Ian Macey to make the score at the break 12-21.

Well all those who thought it was going to be a classic game of 2 halves had to wait until the 70th minute before G’s started to play to their true potential and start to reel the visitors in, but reel them in they did. Firstly with a brilliant try from centre Chris Dickson which Gerwyn Hughes converted to close the gap to 2 points. Then with more pressure Gerwyn Hughes slotted a penalty to take the lead for the first time in the game with 5 minutes to go. Then as if to underline the fragile victory, replacement flanker Tom Boothe, got a try which Gerwyn Hughes converted to make the final score 29-21 to the relief of the home supporters.

Next week G’s are away to Bank of England 2.15 kick off

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1st Team Match Report for Saturday 17th November

Grasshoppers 15 - Twickenham 16

Grasshoppers travelled to old friends Twickenham for this EDF 3rd round cup tie with only minor changes to the team that registered their first league win of the season at Old Hamptonians the previous week. However, if league standing was anything to go by this game was going to be difficult for G’s with around 17 respective league places separating the sides.

G’s kicked off and hardly got into Twickenham’s half in the first quarter of the game as G’s were consistently penalised within kicking distance. And so it was with some relief that after 10 minutes they trailed by a single penalty goal. Then after 15 minutes the first try of the game came after a lovely run from the Twickenham full back who fed the winger to score and unconverted try.

This seemed to spark G’s into life as their forwards started to get and retain possession to give their silky backs scoring opportunities. So then it was such a move which allowed number 8, Matt Nemeth, to make good ground on the blind side to feed winger, Paul Leulusoo for a debut try which went unconverted to make the half time score a nail biting 8-5.

The second half started as a mid winter gloom set in with the referee happy that he chose a high vis fluorescent shirt. This was Twickenham’s best phase of the game as they stretched ahead with a penalty and a try to make the seemingly unassailable lead 16-5 with 7 minutes to go.

They were though 7 minutes with G’s in the ascendancy and Twickenham resembling a prize fighter, hanging on the ropes for the final bell hoping the points earned in the early part of the encounter would suffice. And so G’s gradually reeled Twickenham in, in the guise of 2 well taken tries from full back Jeremy Easton. And so it left a difficult and final kick of the game and as it sailed tantalisingly close to the posts albeit the wrong side from the visiting supporters and the right side for the home giving the tie to Twickenham.

So, as if in a time warp it was to the bar to reflect on yet another close and competitive encounter between the Clubs and yes to use the cliché it was Rugby itself that won on the day.

Next week it’s back to the league as G’s are at home to Fullerians 2.30 kick off.

1st Team Match Report for Saturday 10th November

Old Hamptonians 7 Grasshoppers 24

Grasshoppers travelled the short distance to play local and in form rivals Old Hamptonians, looking for their first league win of the season. G’s had been working hard on their overall game and kicked off with a confidence that belied their league position.

They had a dream start with some great defence and counter attack which saw their first unconverted try from number 7, James Ramsey in his first game since early September. Spotting loose ball at the back of the home side’s ruck, he jumped it like a thoroughbred steeple chaser and ran from the half way line to score.

Then under pressure, in their own 22, stand off Stuart Daniels didn’t have the option to kick so made a break on the blindside. He then put full back Jeremy Easton away who ran the length of the field to go in under the posts with Daniels adding the conversion to put clear light between the sides.

Then number eight, Matt Nemeth, made his presence felt at both ends of the field. Firstly scoring an unconverted try from a magnificent pick up after extreme pressure on the Old Hamptonians Scrum. Then at the other end tackled the Old Hamptonian full back over the line with such force he made him knock on.

Alas though, one of many G’s infringements allowed the home side a penalty 20 metres out which saw them run it and due to the only sloppy defence of the game by G’s they scored a converted try just before half time.

Old Hamptonians threw everything at G’s in the second half but failed to score again missing a penalty and in the face of some brilliant G’s defence never exerted enough pressure to pull G’s back any further.

It was then G’s who had the last word when centre, Chris Dickson, intercepted a pass to run the length of the field to go in under the posts and added the 2 points himself to make the final score 7-24. Joint players of the day were the back row of Matt Nemeth, James Ramsey and skipper, Steve Reffould.

Next week it’s the EDF National Cup when G’s travel to another local rival, Twickenham 2.15 kick off.

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1st Team Match Report for Saturday 3rd November

Hemel Hempstead 32 Grasshoppers 15

This probably wasn’t the easiest place to go in search of your first league win of the season and with more forced changes, especially in the backs, the task was made all the harder.

G’s though, got off to a good away start pressurising the Hemel line for the first 10 minutes of the game but failed to convert this pressure into points. It was then the home side who broke the deadlock with a penalty in front of the posts.

G’s came back and played some great rugby, the culmination of which saw debut stand off, Matt Dawson, go in for an unconverted try to take the lead. Back came Hemel though, with a penalty and a converted try to make the half time score 13-5.

Then, sloppy defence from both sides, allowed some easy scoring exchanges. With a converted try from Hemel followed by an unconverted try by debut centre Jonathan Dickson then another converted Hemel try followed by an unconverted G’s try from winger, Tom Reading.

The final flurry of the game saw Hemel score an unconverted try to close the game out at 32-15. The highlights were a much better performance from the G’s forwards urged on by scrum half Lewis White.

Next week G’s are away to local rivals Old Hamptonians 2.30 kick off.

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1st Team Match Report for 27th October 2007

Grasshoppers 20 Haringey Rhinos 21

On the last day of British Summer Time, Grasshoppers welcomed Haringey Rhinos to Macfarlane Lane hoping to mark their first win of the season. G’s played up the slope in the first half against a stiff breeze and looked to have the game well under control with their forwards on top and their backs purring like a performance car.

So the first try came with G’s winning good and consistent ball in the Haringey 22 which eventually saw centre, Simon Shirreff slip in for the unconverted try. Then under pressure in their own 22, the G’s backs showed their class when they went blind and fed winger, Andrew Ruinoff who ran the length of the field and fed inside to supporting full back, Jeremy Easton for another unconverted try. So with the half time score 10-0 and all the elements in the second half to look forward to it was the home supporters who enjoyed their half time drinks the best.

And so the second half couldn’t have started any better with a long kick off which the visitors failed to deal with, which led to a G’s lineout 5 metres out. This saw a great take from second row, Liam Constable a drive for the line and a well deserved try for number eight Matt Nemeth which also went unconverted.

This though sparked Haringey into life and they changed their previous game plan of moving everything wide to driving everything up the middle which saw them score 2 converted tries to draw them back to within 1 point of G’s.

Back came G’s with another try after some great pick and drive from the G’s forwards which saw prop, Levi Titi put stand off Stuart Daniels in, in the corner for what looked like the winning try. However, the last 10 minutes of the game were tortuous for the home supporters as wave after wave of Haringey attacks were repelled by some stoic G’s defence at both close quarters from the forwards and in the backs from Simon Shirreff.

And so with 6 points in it Haringey went into the final play knowing that a converted try would take it for them and G’s realising that anything less would give them their first win of the season. And so it was the former scenario that prevailed. As Haringey took a quick penalty on the G’s 22, a missed first time tackle, and a try adjacent to the posts. And then the ground stood silent as the Haringey standoff, stepped up for the kick, which in normal circumstances would have been easy but with the score so close it became all the more difficult. And so, in the stilted silence, up he went, struck the ball, and over it went with the visiting players and supporters heralding it’s success even before the touch judges had time to raise their flags. So in an instant, the score clicked over from 20-19 to 20-21 and with it 2 more league points. Director of Rugby, Pete Hobson, said “It was a game with lots of positives for G’s which will be worked on and improved over coming weeks and I’m confident the points will come”

Next week G’s are away to Hemel Hempstead

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1st Team Match Report for 20th October 2007

Finchley 24 Grasshoppers 22

Grasshoppers took the short but arduous journey along the North Circular desperate to revive their 2007-08 league season and arrived full of hope and expectation at Finchley. Finchley for their part had also had a difficult start to their season and so the game was poised to be a nail biter and it didn’t disappoint.

Finchley kicked off up the slope and were soon pressurising G’s line and but for some desperate G’s defence they would have had at least 2 scores. As it was it was G’s who took the first points with an intercepted try by centre, Simon Shirreff who went over under the posts to make it an easy conversion, and additional 2 points from stand off, Stuart Daniels.

However, the home side were soon back in G’s 22 and this time came away with a penalty. Then G’s started to play some good rugby keeping possession and letting their backs loose and utilising the speedy and silky skills of new winger Andrew Ruinoff who went round the outside of his opposite winger to put centre Chris Dickson in for the unconverted try. At this stage G’s were firmly on top and when Stuart Daniels slotted a penalty from half way 3-15 was looking good as a half time score. However, back came Finchley courtesy of their equally silky backs and robust forwards and added a penalty goal to make the score 6-15. G’s could have gone into half time 6-20 up, but for indecisiveness near the Finchley line which let the home side off the hook and something to aim for in the second half.

So Finchley, with the slope and a set of passionate forwards, started the second half how they finished the first, in come back mode. And so they did within 3 points with 2 well taken penalties to 12-15. Then they took the lead with an unconverted try 17-15.

However, back came G’s with some excellent work between forwards and backs which saw centre, Chris Dickson, go over under the posts for his second try and with conversion added by Simon Shirreff G’s re-took the lead 17-22.

Game over? Not quite! Despite the fight back and the re-take of the lead G’s failed to closed down the game and still threw the ball around to the dismay of the visiting supporters and the ultimate delight of the home. One such flurry ended up in the hands of the Finchley centre who ran almost the length of the field to go under the G’s posts for the try – 22-22! And yes the conversion added the lead re-taken 24-22.

G’s to be fair, came back again and almost took the game with a last ditch try courtesy of prop, Vince Davidson during the final play of the game. But alas he was held up short and the echo of the final whistle left G’s wondering what might have been, and the home supporters in ecstatic jubilation.

Next week G’s are at home to Haringey 3pm kick off

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1st Team Match Report for Saturday 13th October

Grasshoppers 32 Datchworth 15

Grasshoppers welcomed Datchworth from the league above to Macfarlane Lane for this EDF Cup tie, with both sides hoping to kick start their respective seasons. In the end it proved to be the rapier sharp Grasshopper backs who stole the show over the bludgeoning Datchworth forwards.

Datchworth kicked off down the slope and were on top straight away after G’s failed to deal with the kick off. The resultant possession for the visitors saw their stand off ghost through a gap to be stopped just short of the G’s line. And with this attack repelled then it was disappointing to let them regain possession and score an unconverted try in the corner to break the deadlock.

Historically G’s haven’t played that well up the slope but bucked this trend and were soon playing some good running rugby which saw full back Jeremy Easton break 2 tackles to set flanker, Chris Browne up for the try to level the game at 5-5 with the conversion missed.

The visitors did get back at G’s and were given an opportunity to retake the lead with a penalty, which they duly took. Then before half time the home crowd were treated to some glorious running rugby, the result being 2 well taken but unconverted tries from full back, Jeremy Easton and winger Chris Dickson to make the half time score 15-8.

So with the slope in the second half and a performance in the ascendancy G’s started the half well with another well worked try courtesy of Jeremy Easton to stretch the lead. This though sparked the visitors into life and their forwards got on top to force a converted try to bring them back to within 1 score. And so the visitors continued to press and but for some fantastic defence by G’s they would have drawn level and re-taken the lead all this to the detriment of the home supporters and their respective finger nails.

And so, as if a touch on the accelerator of a performance car, the supreme G’s backs, fed by a dogged pack of forwards, eased away with a try from centre, Simon Shirreff with stand off, Stuart Daniels adding the conversion. Then to crown a glorious performance a try from replacement hooker Jason "Juddie” Judkins to allow G’s to march into the next round of this national Cup.

G’s second and third sides lost to Imperial Medicals II and Chiswick II in their respective merit table games.

Next week it gives G’s a chance to get their league season back on track away to Finchley 3pm kick off. Their next home game will in the league to Haringey Rhinos on 27th October 3pm kick off.

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1st Team Match Report for Saturday 29th September

Grasshoppers 12 Barnet Elizabethans 18

G’s welcomed Barnet Elizabethans to MacFarlane Lane for their first home league game of the season hoping to reverse the loss from their last home league game from last season. As it turned out it was a complete reversal of that game. With Barnet taking the initial and substantial lead down the slope in the first half and G’s playing catch up in the second.

Barnet kicked off down the slope but G’s got off to a perfect start with lots of territorial advantage and with 15 minutes gone they had had the better of the game with at least 3 scoring chances being missed. But it was Barnet who took control of the game with 2 tries a conversion and a penalty to lead 0-15 at half time.

G’s played much better in the second half controlling the game better and making less mistakes and soon had their first home points on the board with a glorious try from winger Ian Macey with other winger, Chris Dickson adding the conversion. G’s continued to press but failed to add any points in what proved to be the critical period of the game when they allowed Barnet to add 3 points from a penalty leaving G’s to score twice if they wanted the 2 valuable home points.

They did though, get straight back to work and were soon pressing the Barnet line but failed to cross it due to final pass mistakes. However, 1 glorious passage of play by G’s saw them add another try through full back, Jeremy Easton which went unconverted.

And so, the score remained at 12-18 for the last 5 minutes of the game. With G’s laying siege to the Barnet line reminiscent of Napoleon’s siege of Moscow in 1812 and as with that siege, it was withheld, the battle lost, and with it the game and the league points. Director of Rugby, Pete Hobson said “we can’t expect to give sides a first half lead like this and expect to get anything from the game”.

Next week we turn our eyes to a re-run of the 2003 world cup final when England take on Australia in the quarter final so all will be welcome at G’s if you want to sample a great rugby atmosphere.

G’s next home game is on 13th October when they play Datchworth in the EDF Cup 3pm kick off.

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1st Team Match Report for Saturday 15th September

Old Ashmoleans 22 Grasshoppers 22

G’s kicked their 2007/08 season off, on a glorious afternoon in North London against newly promoted, Old Ashmoleans with 10 league debuts. And it wasn’t the best of starts as they conceded a converted try within 2 minutes. This did though, settle G’s down and they played some good rugby, making the most of their superior scrum. This gave some end to end rugby but G’s failed to turn any pressure into points and just before half time some shoddy defence saw the home side add another converted try to make the half time score 14-0.

The second half saw a much better performance from G’s as their debut players gelled with each other and the rest of the team, which allowed them to create some sustained pressure on the Old Ashmoleans line. This in turn saw G’s claw their way back into the game with a try from second row, James Ramsey, which Simon Sherriff converted. However, not wanting to make things easy G’s soon saw themselves back on the back foot and conceded a penalty in front of the posts which the home side converted.

This though, spurred G’s on and back into the game with a well taken try from stand off, Simon Sherriff who also added the conversion to brings G’s back to within 3 points. And so back they came again with some great forward play driving the home side back to within 5 metres of their line and number 8, Matt Nemeth, slipped over for the try which G’s failed to convert but allowed them to take the lead at last at 17-19.

Old Ashmoleans though, wouldn’t lie down and threw the kitchen sink combined with the waste disposal unit at G’s which resulted in a try to re-take the lead 22-19. Then in the dying moments of the game G’s were awarded a penalty around 40 metres out in front of the posts and Simon Sherriff duly stepped forward for the points and the last word on this, all square first game of the season.

G’s kick off their home league campaign at home to Barnet Elizabethans on 29th September 3pm kick of.

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Match Report for Saturday 8th September

Grasshoppers 12 London Scottish III 31

This friendly was an important stepping stone for both clubs development of their respective league seasons. And whilst the result of any game is important it’s ultimate value will be determined by how each club used it.

Grasshoppers for their part had the chance to see newly recruited players in prop Levi Titi, number eight flanker, Russell Cowley, stand off Simon Shirreff, 13 Jamie Quinn and open side flanker Chris Browne.

By half time G’s Coach, Richard Hicks had many positive ticks in his boxes on all the debut players and was looking at a 12-7 lead with the slope to look forward to in the second half. This courtesy of a try by Jamie Quinn. which he converted. Followed by a try from winger, Ian Macey which went unconverted. This was matched a try from the visitors which they converted.

The nature of the game led to many changes at half time, which from G’s viewpoint sent them off course and had the reverse effect on the visitors. They despite much endeavour from G’s but took the lead early in the second half and gradually drew away with 2 tries, 2 conversions and 4 penalties to take the game.

So the key for G’s is how they take this and last weeks performance in the win against Canvey Island, to kick start their league season game away to Ashmoleans next Saturday.

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Match Report for Saturday 1st September

Grasshoppers 19 Canvey Island 3

Is was back to business at MacFarlane Lane when the competitive season kicked off early with this EDF National Cup round against visitors Canvey Island. The game proved to be evenly matched with both sides finishing in roughly the same positions in their respective, London north west and south east 4 leagues.
So it was Canvey Island who kicked off the 21st season at MacFarlane Lane down the slope. The game ebbed and flowed between the 22’s for the first 15 minutes as each set of forwards strove to get on top. It was though G’s who struck first after some good backs interplay which allowed them to spend some time in the visitors 22. This eventually led to centre Tom Reading going over for the try with the use of his elusive pace to break the deadlock although the conversion wasn’t added.

The game then returned to type with all the action between the 22’s until the half hour mark when the visitors were awarded a penalty which they converted. There were no further scores before half time so it remained tight at the turnaround at 5-3.

G’s took control in the second half but failed to convert territory into points but as they gradually turned up the pressure 20 minutes into the half debut number 7, Chris Denby scored a debut try which Phil Stark converted to put clear light between the sides. He then followed this with a second try, which was also converted by Phil Stark. However, with 15 minutes to go the visitors certainly threw everything at G’s but their defence held and the final score remained at 19-3 and the player of the day was 2 try new boy Chris Denby. G’s kick off their league season on 15th September away to Old Ashmoleans 3pm kick off.

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